In November 2020, “Solitary by another name: The ongoing use of isolation in Canada’s federal prisons” was published by the West Coast Prison Justice Society / Prisoners’ Legal Services. The report identifies ways that the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) continues to routinely keep prisoners in solitary confinement, or solitary-like conditions of isolation, sometimes for months on end, despite Canada’s claims to have eliminated the use of segregation. It recommends legislative limits on the use of isolation, care in community-based hospitals for prisoners with serious mental illnesses and increased funding for Indigenous-run healing lodges, and calls for an external review of staff culture at all levels.
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Regarding structured intervention units
Recommendation 28: We recommend that the SIU Review Committee be abolished, and law and policy be clear that prisoners have the right to be represented by counsel at an oral hearing before the actual decision maker.-
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Regarding structured intervention units
Recommendation 29: We recommend that CSC invest in qualified, independent behavioural counsellors, occupational therapists and social workers to be available in all men’s and women’s SIUs to provide services to promote mental well being.-
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Regarding staff culture
Recommendation 30: We recommend that CSC fund an external review of staff culture at all levels within CSC to develop a plan to change the culture of corrections, with a focus on the dignity and human rights of prisoners.-
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Regarding staff culture
Recommendation 31: We recommend that any staff who behave inappropriately in relation to prisoners held in any form of isolation, or who deny them their rights, be disciplined and removed from working with vulnerable prisoners.-
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Regarding staff culture
Recommendation 32: We recommend that all correctional officers be required to wear body cameras that record video and audio whenever they are working in areas with prisoners.-
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